IMPLEMENTING THE MODEL

Athletes who are new to football need the opportunity to explore the game and play multiple positions in a fun, positive environment.

At this level, the focus should be on games, activities and fun competitions that encourage athletes to play and see if they like football. Wins and losses are not as important as athletes enjoying their experiences.

A fun introduction to the sport makes it more likely that athletes will want to continue playing. USA Football's First Down Program is a great way to introduce the game.

Athletes who are younger and/or new to football need to learn basic movement skills such as running, jumping, kicking, throwing and catching.

Athletes are still deciding if they enjoy the sport at this stage, so teams should create a fun, active setting with games and mini-competitions.

It's all about giving the athletes opportunities to enjoy football over wins and losses.

At this stage, athletes begin to learn and control their movement skills.

Fun practices and games will be key for athletes to better understand their agility, balance, coordination, and speed.

Coaches and parents/guardians should focus less on the final score and more on congratulating athletes for learning basic football and life skills, such as getting better, overcoming challenges, the game's rules and teamwork.

Football may be one of an athlete's primary sports by this stage.

It's time for players to begin combining the technical football skills they previously learned with new tactics. Coaches may begin introducing more position-specific skills and more advanced concepts and schemes.

The athletes have a firm understanding of teamwork and know how to learn from their mistakes.

By this stage, athletes will be looking for more competitive football settings. As they move through puberty, athletes develop more strength, speed and other movement skills that help them build position-specific skills.

Players test themselves in games with more complex strategies and athletic movements. Coaches and parents/guardians helping players think, feel and behave as teams is a crucial part of this stage

It's important for players to continue developing as individuals and teammates on and off the field.

Athletes at this stage, are likely preparing for the highest levels of competition in football. There is a greater emphasis on tactics, schemes, and football knowledge at this stage.

Athletes start mastering position-specific techniques and seek opportunities to elevate their performance on and off the field. They might begin giving back to the community by assisting coaches in local youth programs.

Competitive opportunities, like playoffs and championships, will be more formal at this stage than the ones covered previously.

Athletes are at the highest competitive levels of football. Athletes at this stage spend significant parts of their daily lives training and competing to win.

Players have mastered the game and likely have enough football knowledge to teach the sport to others.

The focus at this stage shifts to mental aspects of the game, refining, position-specific skills and resting and recovering to meet the demands of the competitive environment.